For a majority of Swiss, the tobacco industry has too much influence in politics

On the occasion of World No Tobacco Day on May 31, 2025, Unisanté conducted a survey of 1,070 adults representative of French-speaking Switzerland[1]The survey conducted in March 2025 by the MIS Trend Institute on behalf of Unisanté, as part of the Cantonal Tobacco Prevention Program, co-financed by the Canton of Vaud and the Tobacco Prevention Fund, indicates that 90% of respondents believe that the State has a responsibility to better protect young people against the strategies of the tobacco industry. 88% also believe that the economic interests of cigarette companies should not take precedence over those of public health. The survey highlights massive public support for strong prevention measures.

A clear demand to protect the population from the influence of cigarette manufacturers

Respondents denounce the tobacco industry's strong influence on Swiss politics, which two-thirds perceive as excessive. A major concern lies in marketing aimed at young people: 88% of respondents acknowledge that the flavors, attractive colors, and positive images used in advertising make tobacco and other nicotine products attractive to this audience. For 82% of respondents, these products falsely give the impression of being harmless.

Furthermore, 83 % of respondents recall having seen advertising for tobacco and other nicotine products. In order of advertising importance, supermarkets and kiosks are mentioned (72 % saw them several times a month or year), festive venues such as festivals and bars (65 %), the press (50 %), films and series (48 %) and the internet/social networks (46 %). Among those who have seen communications concerning these products, 54 % recall communications for rechargeable e-cigarettes, 47 % for heated tobacco, 45 % for conventional tobacco cigarettes and 41 % for disposable e-cigarettes.

Furthermore, 80% of respondents believe that the tobacco industry is seeking to improve its image through its "responsible business" initiatives. A similar proportion believe that the industry exerts too much influence over public policy. Two-thirds of French-speaking Swiss believe, in particular, that parliamentarians prioritize the interests of this industry over the public.

Public supports stricter tobacco prevention measures

In this opinion survey, 23 % of French-speaking Swiss declared themselves smokers and/or consumers of other nicotine products, with a majority among men, young adults aged 18-24 and in employment[2].

Respondents were asked to provide their opinions and their level of support or opposition to a range of measures to prevent smoking and the use of other non-therapeutic nicotine products. The survey revealed overwhelming support for strengthening prevention measures overall, with 88% of respondents in favor. Strict age controls for online purchases (92% of respondents) were in favor, as was a ban on disposable e-cigarettes (84% of respondents).

Participants also support a total ban on tobacco advertising (78 %), the removal of product stalls/shelves in stores (79 %), and an increase in their prices (71 %). A clear majority also calls for smoke-free outdoor spaces, including playgrounds, sports fields, play areas, and swimming pools.

Some proposals were more controversial, but remained supported by a majority of people. This was the case for the ban on cigarette vending machines in bars and the introduction of plain packaging, for which 64% of those who expressed themselves strongly or somewhat in favor, or the ban on smoking at all hours on restaurant terraces, for which 60% of those who expressed themselves strongly or somewhat in favor.

THE UK bill that would prohibit people born in 2009 or later from being sold any type of tobacco product constitutes the least clear-cut measure. 47 % of the respondents in the sample declared themselves very or rather in favour of applying this measure in Switzerland compared to 43 % who were not in favour and 10 % who did not know.

Eight out of ten people believe that smoking is more of an addiction than a personal choice, a view shared by 70% of current and former smokers. If current and former users could go back to smoking, 76% say they probably or definitely would not start smoking again..

"These results show that the population wants more ambitious health promotion measures. This is very encouraging." " concludes Luc Lebon, head of the Tobacco Prevention Sector at Unisanté.

©Generation Without Tobacco

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[1]Blick, Protect young people more against cigarette marketing, published May 26, 2025, accessed May 27, 2025

[2]MIS Trend, Survey on the perception of tobacco products and prevention measures, Unisanté – University Center for General Medicine and Public Health of Lausanne, published in April 2025, consulted on May 27, 2025

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